Zeno Swijtink
03-14-2009, 01:41 PM
https://www.sonomastatestar.com/media/storage/paper846/news/2009/03/10/News/Low-Cost.Health.Examinations.Offered.At.Ssu.This.Spring-3670847-page1.shtml
Low cost health examinations offered at SSU this spring
Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program provide services for Sonoma County residents through May 20
Kimmie Osbourne
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program are taking a step in the direction of health care reform. Every Wednesday from March 18 to May 20, low cost health examinations will be offered to any person residing in Sonoma County.
"The low cost physicals provide an opportunity for individuals in the community to receive a complete and thorough physical," said Mary Ellen Wilkosz, a faculty member within the Family Nurse Practitioner program. "If medical needs are identified appropriate referrals are made to other health facilities in the area for ongoing care."
Wilkosz is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner, who received her Master of Science in Nursing at SSU. After several years of experience in the field, she returned to instruct in the Nurse Practitioner program.
Along with Johnna Edmunds, fellow faculty member in the program, Wilkosz will supervise the weekly examinations given by students.
The program, established over 30 years ago, offers a Master of Science in Nursing and a Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The program has expanded from the SSU campus to Chico State University and CSU Stanislaus.
According to the program's website, services given to Sonoma County residents will include a complete medical and health history, identification of health risk factors, complete physical examinations and screening tests and pap smears for cervical cancer.
"Low cost physicals provides those that are uninsured or might not otherwise be able to afford health care the opportunity to receive excellent health care and health education in a supportive environment," said Wilkosz. "This also provides the [Nurse Practitioner] students with a wealth of learning experiences."
A physical examination is priced at $30 and consists of a full health assessment and tests including blood pressure testing, vision testing, audiology testing, urinalysis, hematocrit for anemia and cholesterol testing.
According to their website, the physicals given by the Nurse Practitioner students can be utilized for annual exams, sports physicals, pre-employment physicals and camp physicals.
Pap smears will also be available to female students at a cost of $45, and can be an alternative for students who do not have a local gynecologist.
Sonoma County residents will be able to receive a cholesterol check for $25, a physical that meets DMV requirements for $60 and hearing tests will be administered at no cost.
Copies of records of the examinations will be given to clients or distributed to private physicians or agencies upon request.
"The service of low cost physicals to the community is invaluable in many ways," said Deborah Roberts, the acting chair of the nursing department. "It promotes the perfect partnership of health in our community and education at our institution."
The weekly Wednesday appointments will be open to all residents within Sonoma County. Children, students, adults and seniors will all be able to take advantage of this opportunity regardless of socioeconomic status.
"The way our economy is today, everyone is looking for free check-ups, free flu shots and so on," said Laura Padilla, psychology major and Program Coordinator for CalServes.
CalServes is a local organization that allows college students to work at elementary schools and interact with students and the community. As Program Coordinator, Padilla works with students and faculty members at several Title I schools in Santa Rosa. In order for a school to qualify for Title I federal funding, around 40 percent of its students must come from low income families.
"I definitely see a lot of kids struggling through colds or the flu, or they are generally sick longer than they should be because they can't go to the doctor," said Padilla.
According to Families USA, a national organization for health care consumers, an estimated eight working-age Californians die each day as a result of lacking health care. The report, released in April of 2008 focused solely on the health care crisis in California.
"Our report highlights how our inadequate system of health coverage condemns a great number of Californians to an early death simply because they don't have the same access to health care as their insured neighbors," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, in a report posted on the organization's website. "The conclusions are sadly clear- a lack of health coverage is a matter of life and death for many Californians."
According to a report from 2005 census published in the Press Democrat, a reported 1 out of 5 Sonoma County residents lacks health care insurance, but since then unemployment levels have risen, causing many residents to lose their health care benefits with their former jobs.
"A lot of students come from families that are uninsured or have Medi-Cal," said Padilla. "We are always in need of resources for low cost health services."
Padilla is helping to prepare for this year's Cesar Chavez Health Fair, which CalServes holds annually. The event offers limited free and low cost health services for the community and will be held on Sat. March 14.
"I think this is a step forward to develop better heath care," said Padilla.
Allowing students access to low cost and free health services may prove to be beneficial down the road when hygienic and healthy habits are being formed.
Public events offering free or low cost services, such as the Cesar Chavez Health Fair and the Nurse Practitioner program's physical examinations could possibly be one of the many solutions promoting healthcare reform.
"I think this is an amazing service to provide to the community," said Wilkosz. "I would encourage students and faculty who might be interested in a complete physical to make an appointment and reap the benefits!"
For more information visit the Health Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 664-2921.
Low cost health examinations offered at SSU this spring
Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program provide services for Sonoma County residents through May 20
Kimmie Osbourne
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program are taking a step in the direction of health care reform. Every Wednesday from March 18 to May 20, low cost health examinations will be offered to any person residing in Sonoma County.
"The low cost physicals provide an opportunity for individuals in the community to receive a complete and thorough physical," said Mary Ellen Wilkosz, a faculty member within the Family Nurse Practitioner program. "If medical needs are identified appropriate referrals are made to other health facilities in the area for ongoing care."
Wilkosz is a Registered Nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner, who received her Master of Science in Nursing at SSU. After several years of experience in the field, she returned to instruct in the Nurse Practitioner program.
Along with Johnna Edmunds, fellow faculty member in the program, Wilkosz will supervise the weekly examinations given by students.
The program, established over 30 years ago, offers a Master of Science in Nursing and a Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate. The program has expanded from the SSU campus to Chico State University and CSU Stanislaus.
According to the program's website, services given to Sonoma County residents will include a complete medical and health history, identification of health risk factors, complete physical examinations and screening tests and pap smears for cervical cancer.
"Low cost physicals provides those that are uninsured or might not otherwise be able to afford health care the opportunity to receive excellent health care and health education in a supportive environment," said Wilkosz. "This also provides the [Nurse Practitioner] students with a wealth of learning experiences."
A physical examination is priced at $30 and consists of a full health assessment and tests including blood pressure testing, vision testing, audiology testing, urinalysis, hematocrit for anemia and cholesterol testing.
According to their website, the physicals given by the Nurse Practitioner students can be utilized for annual exams, sports physicals, pre-employment physicals and camp physicals.
Pap smears will also be available to female students at a cost of $45, and can be an alternative for students who do not have a local gynecologist.
Sonoma County residents will be able to receive a cholesterol check for $25, a physical that meets DMV requirements for $60 and hearing tests will be administered at no cost.
Copies of records of the examinations will be given to clients or distributed to private physicians or agencies upon request.
"The service of low cost physicals to the community is invaluable in many ways," said Deborah Roberts, the acting chair of the nursing department. "It promotes the perfect partnership of health in our community and education at our institution."
The weekly Wednesday appointments will be open to all residents within Sonoma County. Children, students, adults and seniors will all be able to take advantage of this opportunity regardless of socioeconomic status.
"The way our economy is today, everyone is looking for free check-ups, free flu shots and so on," said Laura Padilla, psychology major and Program Coordinator for CalServes.
CalServes is a local organization that allows college students to work at elementary schools and interact with students and the community. As Program Coordinator, Padilla works with students and faculty members at several Title I schools in Santa Rosa. In order for a school to qualify for Title I federal funding, around 40 percent of its students must come from low income families.
"I definitely see a lot of kids struggling through colds or the flu, or they are generally sick longer than they should be because they can't go to the doctor," said Padilla.
According to Families USA, a national organization for health care consumers, an estimated eight working-age Californians die each day as a result of lacking health care. The report, released in April of 2008 focused solely on the health care crisis in California.
"Our report highlights how our inadequate system of health coverage condemns a great number of Californians to an early death simply because they don't have the same access to health care as their insured neighbors," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, in a report posted on the organization's website. "The conclusions are sadly clear- a lack of health coverage is a matter of life and death for many Californians."
According to a report from 2005 census published in the Press Democrat, a reported 1 out of 5 Sonoma County residents lacks health care insurance, but since then unemployment levels have risen, causing many residents to lose their health care benefits with their former jobs.
"A lot of students come from families that are uninsured or have Medi-Cal," said Padilla. "We are always in need of resources for low cost health services."
Padilla is helping to prepare for this year's Cesar Chavez Health Fair, which CalServes holds annually. The event offers limited free and low cost health services for the community and will be held on Sat. March 14.
"I think this is a step forward to develop better heath care," said Padilla.
Allowing students access to low cost and free health services may prove to be beneficial down the road when hygienic and healthy habits are being formed.
Public events offering free or low cost services, such as the Cesar Chavez Health Fair and the Nurse Practitioner program's physical examinations could possibly be one of the many solutions promoting healthcare reform.
"I think this is an amazing service to provide to the community," said Wilkosz. "I would encourage students and faculty who might be interested in a complete physical to make an appointment and reap the benefits!"
For more information visit the Health Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 664-2921.